For those who are not primarily word-smart learners, the activities below are still awesome and valuable. Remember, regardless of how you’re most inclined to learn, everyone is gifted with each of Gardner’s nine intelligences. To improve your (or your child’s) linguistic intelligence, just incorporate some of these activities into your day!

Make up stories and tell them to someone else. This can be done by writing a story and reading it to another, or by going around in a group with each person adding a sentencing (written or aloud).

Keep a journal. If language is one of the primary ways you understand the world, keeping a daily journal is very helpful in processing, organizing and making sense of your emotions and experiences.

Have regular debates and discussions. This can be as simple as conversations at the dinner table, asking people’s opinions on different topics, or talking through current events.

Create a magazine or newsletter. A family, school or work magazine is a creative way to use your writing skills to highlight recent events, opinion pieces, interviews, creative writing, pictures with captions, cartoons & more.

Word of the day. Word-smart people enjoy learning new words and how to use them correctly, and often show interest in etymology (ie, the source or origin of words). Finding new words to put on the fridge and play with in conversation is a fun way to build vocabulary.

Write poetry. There are many different kinds of poetry to explore, including haiku or poems that rhyme. Rhyming in particular can be a great way to help word-smart learners remember new things.

Write book reviews and/or have book discussions. Word-smart learners love to read, and engaging in book discussions with others will animate stories in new ways. It also helps refine communication skills, critical thinking and analysis.

Play word games. Games like Scrabble, word searches, cross-word puzzles, Apples to Apples, Boggle and more are fun ways to engage the family and strengthen these skills. To play word games online, click here.

Sing! Particularly with young children, opportunities to sing, rhyme, and play with language are major boons in cultivating linguistic intelligence. Keep it light and fun, and parents — don’t be afraid to be silly. Kids respond to silly. Even if they don’t sing along with you, make no mistake that singing around your children will have a positive impact on their linguistic development. (Not to mention what you can teach through the message of each song…)

What kind of multiple intelligence profile do you and your kids have? To identify your strengths, take this freeassessment from the Literacy Works website!

*Parts of this post are taken from The Everything Parent’s Guide to Raising Mindful Children (Adams Media), a book I authored along with partner Jeremy Wardle. Order your copy here!

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How else do you and your family engage your linguistic intelligence? Share your ideas here!